Thomas was a lottery pick back in 2006, taken fourth overall by the Portland Trailblazers. Thomas was quickly flipped to the Chicago Bulls for LaMarcus Aldridge. From there, he played for the Bulls and Charlotte Bobcats.

In 400 NBA games over seven seasons, Thomas averaged 7.7 points per game and 4.8 rebounds per game. He has missed the past two NBA seasons after surgery on a cyst near his spinal cord. Thomas was waived as part of the amnesty provision, and will make $9.3 million this season from his final contract with the Bobcats.